Posted on 10/26/2018 7:14:40 AM PDT by EdnaMode
A man has been arrested on suspicion of trying to steal a Magna Carta from Salisbury Cathedral.
Wiltshire police said the 45-year-old was arrested on Thursday after alarms were triggered by an attempt to smash the glass box in which the artefact was displayed.
A man matching witnesses’ descriptions was arrested on suspicion of attempted theft, possession of an offensive weapon and criminal damage. Police said he remained in custody.
The document was not damaged in the incident.
Magna Carta, one of the most significant documents in British history, is a peace treaty that was sealed by King John in 1215 that lays out rights agreed with rebel barons. It is seen as a precursor to modern assertions of universal rights.
The edition at Salisbury Cathedral is one of only four copies of the original charter still in existence.
Staff at Salisbury Cathedral wrestled the hammer-wielding suspect to the ground after he attempted to flee, the Dean of Salisbury said
(Excerpt) Read more at theguardian.com ...
Thnak you for posting.
Thought this may be of interest.
“...suspicion of attempted theft...”
Thought police?
Did he have a Buyer ?
One of the charges in the article is listed as “possession of an offensive weapon”. That weapon being a hammer.
What’s next, rocks listed as offensive weapons? Fresh fruit?
“They were able to restrain him and they held him for 12 minutes.” ...and 15 seconds.
Sandy Berger is never around when you need him.
Brit speak, means a ‘weapon that can be used offensively’....................
Go big, or go home ...
Nicolas Cage?
Don’t understand why the Uk govt cares, they haven’t used the thing in a long time.
LOL. Could be.
What kind of idiot tries to smash glass without knowing that he has the right tool to succeed? I am not a professional thief, but I could have done better.
Thanks PghBaldy. Obviously there's a cartograph on the back, in invisible ink.
I guess Nathan Ford and Leverage Inc turned him down. :(
This looks like a good one for the weekly GGG Digest ping as well. Thanks again PghBaldy.
I see what you did there...
Pssst, wanna buy the Magna Carta?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.
